Tips for surviving this week's subzero temperatures

It's about to get cold. Real cold. Temperatures-not-seen-in-20-years cold. "Our forecast at the lowest temperature is going to be Monday night, mid-Tuesday, and for the Akron-Canton area, we're looking at 10 to 15 below," said Sarah Jamison with the National Weather Service office in Cleveland.

"Our forecast at the lowest temperature is going to be Monday night, mid-Tuesday, and for the Akron-Canton area, we're looking at 10 to 15 below," said Sarah Jamison with the National Weather Service office in Cleveland.

Add wind and it will feel as low as -40 degrees.

The weather service has issued a winter weather advisory until noon Monday for an expected 2 to 4 inches of overnight snowfall, and a wind chill warning from then until 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Temperatures will approach record lows, which now stand at -9 for Jan. 6 and -5 for Jan. 7. The lowest area temperature of all time was -25 on Jan. 19, 1994.

• Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, earlobes and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.

• Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first and give warm, nonalcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help as soon as possible.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

SECURE YOUR HOME

• Apply caulk or weatherstripping around doors and windows to keep out cold air.

• Open faucets for a constant drip, or wrap pipes in insulation or newspapers to keep them from freezing.

• Keep extra blankets or sleeping bags, and dress in layers of clothing that is loose-fitting, lightweight and warm.

• Have a three-day supply of water and nonperishable food.

• Charge electronic devices and keep a flashlight, portable radio or extra batteries handy in case of a power outage.

• Use a sturdy screen when using a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

• Don't use an outdoor gas stove, charcoal grill or lantern indoors; it can lead to carbon-monoxide poisoning.

• A portable generator should be installed by a qualified electrician and never used in a house or closed garage. The power to the house should be disconnected beforehand to prevent electricity from returning to power lines and creating a hazard for utility workers.

• To report a power outage, call 1-888-544-4877 or visit www.firstenergycorp.com for FirstEnergy and visit www.aepohio.com.

• First Energy advises customers to report downed wires to a local police or fire department and AEP.